Dell splits a laptop that will not start into four cases, and the split decides the fix: No Power (no lights, nothing), No POST (diagnostic LEDs or beeps but no start), No Boot (starts but cannot load Windows) and No Video (starts but nothing on the display). For a laptop with no power, Dell's guidance starts with the basics: test the outlet with another device, use a verified working power cable, bypass power strips and extension cables, and reseat cables. Then a hard reset: disconnect power and all devices, hold the power button 15 to 20 seconds, reconnect power and start.
If lights or beeps show, note the pattern for Dell Support; if it starts without a picture, follow the black screen page; if it fails to load Windows, use SupportAssist OS Recovery from F12.
Differential
Likely causes of “Dell laptops will not turn on or start”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
No power reaching the laptop
What separates it There are no lights on the laptop or the charger because no power is reaching the laptop
How to confirm Dell says to verify the outlet, use a working power cable and bypass power strips and extension cables
- 2
A drained battery or a hardware state
What separates it The laptop does not respond after a long idle
How to confirm Do a hard reset: disconnect power and devices, hold the power button 15 to 20 seconds, reconnect power
- 3
A peripheral or dock blocking startup
What separates it The laptop starts after everything is unplugged because a peripheral or dock is blocking startup
How to confirm Remove all peripherals and retry, then reconnect one at a time
- 4
A No POST or No Boot fault
What separates it Diagnostic LEDs or beeps show, or Windows never loads
How to confirm Note the LED or beep pattern; use SupportAssist OS Recovery from F12 if the laptop reaches the Dell logo
- 5
A swollen battery or board fault
What separates it Nothing works after the steps above, or the case is distorted
How to confirm Stop and contact Dell; see the swelling signs on the keyboard and trackpad page
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Which Dell laptop you have and its Service Tag
- Whether any light, sound, fan or LED pattern shows when you press the power button
- Whether the laptop reaches the Dell logo, the BIOS or Windows
- Whether the charger light is on and whether an external monitor shows a picture
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedTest the outlet and cable
ReversibleTest the outlet and cable, by plugging another device in and using a verified working power cable.
Bypass strips and extensions
ReversibleBypass strips and extensions, by plugging the charger directly into the wall, as Dell advises.
Unplug everything
ReversibleUnplug everything, by removing the dock, the drives and the USB devices from the laptop.
Hard reset
ReversibleHold the power button 15 to 20 seconds with power and devices disconnected, then reconnect power and start.
Read the lights
ReversibleRead the lights, and note the charger light and any diagnostic LED or beep pattern.
Try an external monitor
ReversibleTry an external monitor, and if the laptop is running with no picture, follow the black screen page.
Boot to recovery
ReversibleIf it reaches the Dell logo, press F12 and choose SupportAssist OS Recovery or Diagnostics.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Power path
- Dell laptops in this family charge from the Dell adapter supplied with the model; the adapter's wattage and connector are printed on it. Check the adapter is recognized in the BIOS once the laptop starts.
- Diagnostics
- F12 opens the one-time boot menu with SupportAssist OS Recovery and hardware diagnostics; F2 opens the BIOS. Alienware laptops have their own no-power article.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the XPS 16 9640, Inspiron 14 5440, Inspiron 16 5640, Latitude 7450.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If there is no sign of power after a working outlet and cable, a hard reset and unplugging everything, contact Dell Support
- !If diagnostic LEDs or beeps appear, note the pattern and contact Dell
- !If there are swelling signs or a burning smell, stop and contact Dell the same day
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
No power, no POST, no boot and no video symptoms and first steps.
Adapter recognition and charging checks.
Recovery when Windows will not start.
Lithium-ion battery aging, 18 to 24 months, swelling signs, storage at 50 percent, ExpressCharge, Wh and non-removable batteries.
The XPS premium laptop line.
The Latitude business laptop line.
Exact questions
Common questions
What are the four failure types Dell lists?+
No Power (no signs of life), No POST (LEDs or beeps but no start), No Boot (starts but cannot load the operating system) and No Video (starts but nothing on the display).
Why bypass the power strip?+
Dell says to bypass strips, extension cables and other power protection devices to verify the computer turns on properly.
What do diagnostic LEDs mean?+
Dell's no POST guidance points to LED and beep patterns that map to specific faults; note the pattern and give it to Dell Support.
Is a black screen the same as no start?+
No. If the fan or lights run but nothing shows, follow the black screen page and try an external monitor.
Does the Alienware start differently?+
Dell has a separate article for Alienware computers that do not turn on, but the power, hard reset and peripherals steps are the same.